Defence sources say the situation is now under control after a pre-dawn LTTE terrorist attack on the Anuradhapura base of the Sri Lanka Air Force, which was effectively countered, and a major search operation is now underway in the area by army and police personnel.

A group of LTTE terrorists had infiltrated the air base around 3 am today (October 22) and launched a massive sabotage attempt at air force assets. They were assisted by two light aircraft of the LTTE that dropped two bombs targeting the airbase around 4.a.m. while the ground attack was on.

Eight airmen are reported to have suffered injuries in the attack in which two Russian -built MI-24 helicopter gun-ships parked at the air base were badly damaged.

Meanwhile, Defence sources also report that a Bell-212 helicopter which was on a mission made a crash landing at Doramadalawa, in the Mihintale area when this confrontation was on.  According to the sources the two pilots and two gunners who were on board the helicopter, have died in the incident.

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Last Updated Date: October 22, 2007 - 3.45 GMT